Dear Stephen: That is an excellent concern, one which I don't believe has been dealt with to my COMPLETE satisfaction, but one which none-the-less can be dealt with successfully despite concerns.
I believe it was UCLA that performed studies on how bentonite taken internally affected the "good" bacteria count as well as the "bad" bacteria count that resides in the intenstines, and this is the only scientific model I'm aware of that even addresses sorption rates in the body at a scientific level. However, the conclusions derived from the study provide some clues as to how bentonite works in the digestive system. First and foremost, let's address the surface area of hydrated clay particles and consider the amount of clay that is ingested to achieve good results. The average gram of clay has a surface area of 400 to 800 square meters. While it is true that bentonite is incredibly dense, and the surface area of the particles is extraordinary, even 1000 grams of bentonite would not be able to sorpt even a fraction of the nutrients in one meal. Furthermore, bentonite acts against postively charged substances first and foremost. The clay will act first against radiation, then against toxic substances in the body, primarily those substances that carry a postive charge. Furthermore, once clay reaches it's limit of adsorption ,the effect is reversed, ie. the clay begins to eminate substances. In fact, I believe that there is always an exchange going on between clay and the body. Second, clay, once it is no longer in a magma state, reacts differently. It's "mass" sorption rate declines significantly, and it appears to act more as a catalyst in the body. Therefore, a clay fluid reacts very differently even upon initial consumption then a clay gel or magma. On a less scientific note, Weston Price drew the conclusion that clay increases the body's ability to adsorb nutrients. He drew this conclusion from studying cultures that used clay as a daily part of their diet. Whether in fact this is due to the cleansing and purifiying affect of clays, or a whole combination of related actions in the body, is unknown. What is certain is that beyond the digestive tract, clay does not leech valueable vitamins and minerals from the body. Of further note, Raymond Dextreit, after 50 years of clinical research in natural medicine, has found no indication that clay negatively affects the nutritional system, although it CAN interfere with drugs being taken internally. However, one can never be too careful in matters of health. In the case where an individual has severe dietary deficiencies, the way to minimize any possible consequence is to begin taking clay internally at night, before bed, when the body begins its cleansing cycle. In the average person, even clay used several times daily will not "get past" the liver for months, so any concern of an effect outside the digestive tract is actually moot. Start with a protocol of one tablespoon of clay powder in an eight ounce glass of water. With this amount of clay, even if clay were to attempt to eliminate all of the vital nutrients in the diet, it would only suceed in removing an unmeasurable amount. And yet, almost paradoxially, acting as a catalyst, even this small amount of clay will have a noticeable detoxifying effect within 72 hours. I hope these comments help! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stephen Hessler" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 7:34 PM Subject: CS>To A.V.R.A. on bentonite > Hello, If I remember right you posted to me a while back on using bentonite > for some years. Have you noticed anything that would point to the bentonite > taking what nutrients (as well as the bad stuff) that your system has > therein? I have been questioned for this by someone who has some fear and > trepidation because their system has a very poor nutrient absorption factor. > TIA [email protected] > > Stephen K. Hessler, N.M.D. > HC 1 Box 175 > Centerville, MO 63633 > 573-924-2254 (usually home after 8 pm) > > > -- > The silver-list is a moderated forum for discussion of colloidal silver. > > To join or quit silver-list or silver-digest send an e-mail message to: > [email protected] -or- [email protected] > with the word subscribe or unsubscribe in the SUBJECT line. > > To post, address your message to: [email protected] > Silver-list archive: http://escribe.com/health/thesilverlist/index.html > List maintainer: Mike Devour <[email protected]> > >
